Manhunt underway for 'dangerous' NC inmate who escaped jail through ventilation system
Officials say that John Matthew Nigh's bunkies aided in his escape from the Craven County Jail.
Law enforcement officials in North Carolina are searching for an inmate who escaped through a ventilation system at a local jail last weekend.
According to the Craven County Sheriff's Office, the manhunt for John Matthew Nigh is ongoing, and all agencies in the state have been alerted about his escape.
Authorities realized Nigh was missing from his cell at the Craven County Jail on Sunday afternoon. They learned his bunkies assisted in the breakout.
"The inmate, assisted by his two cellmates, had removed a ceiling grating, entered a utility ceiling chase, and exited the roof through a ventilation housing," the sheriff's office said. "The cellmates concealed his escape by stuffing a mattress, making it appear that he was sleeping in his cell."
Authorities say the escapee should be considered 'dangerous'
Nigh of New Bern is described as a 6'2 ", 190-pound white man. He has a "JMN" tattoo on his upper left arm and a cross tattoo on his right arm.
Due to previous interactions with officers, officials say Nigh should be considered a "dangerous" individual. According to ABC News, he has a criminal history and was arrested last summer after allegedly opening fire at authorities.
The incident happened as deputies with the Onslow County Sheriff's Office tried to apprehend him in June 2024 for several pending charges in a different county. When they arrived at his location, officials allege he tried to flee and "fired two rounds from a small caliber handgun at the three deputies," a press release stated. The officers were not hit and were ultimately able to take him into custody.
He was arrested on additional charges, including three counts of assault on a law enforcement officer by pointing a firearm, three counts of attempted first-degree murder, and resisting, delaying, or obstructing an officer.
The U.S. Marshall's Fugitive Task Force has joined the investigation to track him down. WITN-TV reported that an internal probe into his escape is also underway.
Craven County is about 60 miles from Goldsboro.
Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for Paste BN. You can reach her at tardrey@gannett.com.